Mayweather released from Las Vegas jail

Reuters

LAS VEGAS, USA (UPDATED) - Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. was released from a Las Vegas jail on Friday after serving two months of a 90-day sentence for domestic violence, a term that was previously postponed so the welterweight fighter could compete in a bout.

Mayweather, a flamboyant athlete regarded as the best defensive boxer of his generation, was booked into jail June 1.

Las Vegas police spokesman Jose Hernandez did not cite a specific reason for the early release, but added that an inmate could be released early for time served, good behavior or as credit for work done in prison.

The boxer was met by about 20 family and friends, including rapper 50 Cent -- who reportely acquired the promotional rights to Mayweather's fights -- and then drove himself away in a Bentley sedan.

The unbeaten Mayweather had the start of his jail term delayed in January so he could fight in a May 5 super welterweight bout in Las Vegas, where he defeated Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto.

After that contest, improving his professional record to 43-0, Mayweather discussed a possible fight with Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, his rival for the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

Mayweather's jail sentence stemmed from a guilty plea in December to a charge of felony battery and pleas of no contest to two counts of harassment linked to a 2010 attack on his ex-girlfriend, Josie Harris, and verbal threats against two of his children with her.

Mayweather was sentenced to six months for that outburst, but half the jail term was suspended.